Thread 27 Covid Cohort Snow or Like Spring? Let's Do This Thing!

[OrangeCinnamonCocktail]

This is a thread for supporting all young people post GCSEs 2020, regardless of their educational setting. It is respectfully requested that all are supportive and helpful to each other. If you want to start a debate, e.g state vs private, please don't within this thread. Please also be sensitive when responding to threads about grades.

Some of us have been here since first thread back in yr10, some will be new. Everyone has been friendly and helpful in the past. Everyone is welcome. It is hoped this will continue.

Our DS/DD may go down various paths (such as employment, apprenticeships, higher ed) We have decided for anyone interested they will most likely find us within the Further Ed board.

previous thread found here

Thank you for the ideas. A messenger bag could work, heaven knows he needs something to stop him stuffing all his belongings in his pockets but I have tried with smaller pouch bags to no avail, he uses a rucksack for school.

Not sure about jackets, I really don't know if he's finished growing as he's always grown very slowly and steadily, no real spurts and is only 5'2'. Also I suspect he wouldn't wear them, he doesn't feel the cold and will only wear a coat in real extremes of weather (which is virtually never as we live in Hampshire). He lives in jeans, joggers, trainers and hoodies and dislikes the 6th form smart casual dresscode.

I had been thinking driving lessons but I just can't get any instructors to call me back, going to try a few more this week. Also a hospitality package at his football team but it's been hard to plan for events with all the covid restrictions on and off, I think I'll phone them on Monday.

Thank you very much for all the good wishes regarding DD's offer. Feels like a weight has been lifted.
We gave DS a fancy watch for his 18th, a lunch in the pub and few drinks. He didn't want a party. DD had a same amount of money than DS's watch was worth to choose a ring. She bought a beautiful vintage ring from 1890's. She didn't want a party either and we had cocktails followed by pizza.

@Piggywaspushed I don’t remember any fuss on my 18th either. 21st birthdays were still treated as the milestone back then (even though the age of majority had changed already -I’m old but not that old!)

@ExtremelyDetermined I gave DD (a modest sum of) cash but also bought a book that I knew she’d love and cherish
I wrote inside that it was from mam for her 18th birthday.

We are just planning a little trip to Manchester at half term because DS and I want to go the People's History Museum. DH and DS were also going to go to the Football Museum and I thought I might go to The Lowry. But looking online, the actual art gallery bit looks underwhelming... anyone been? Anyone know anything else worth doing? Anywhere cheap but nice to eat like a good Curry House or Chinese (ages since we have had a good Chinese in a restaurant)? We don't do fancy !

@22Newnames that's ok, I know it wasn't meant to be a comparison, I just meant it felt I hadn't given enough. I didn't at the time. DH can afford to give more...but wouldn't. But to be fair he has bought the older 2 fairly good cars. Well...Ds2 wouldn't call his a good car, but it's much better than my first car. He hates his car as it's brown. I wasn't impressed at the time when dh bought it.

Ds1 is 21 in May. I feel that's a more important birthday. He won't be home though. I expect he will doing final exams for his last university year in May.

I think some of you might be right about 21 being a bigger deal than 18. I don't remember what I had for mine, but I did have a party. For my 21st it was a gold watch, which I still have although I don't wear it as I realised in my 20s that I suit white metal much better than yellow gold and never wear yellow gold now. Maybe that's the way to go then.

Proggy that's lovely about the book. DD turned 16 recently and has challenged me to read the Harry Potter books this year, so I have got her paperback version of The Philosophers Stone, in return I bought her the Minalima version of it, they are hardbacks with beautiful illustrations and pop-ups. It is gorgeous.

Celebration-wise - as its midweek and he's in boarding we are giving him money to get pizza in with friends. Then on the Saturday he has an away hockey match, the team have told him to bring his ID for the pub afterwards and hopefully we'll go out for a meal when he gets home.

So that's my next question - is there an ID card scheme they can use so they don't have to carry and risk losing their driving licence (see earlier comment about stuffing everything in pockets).

Ican - my first car was a rustbucket. Kids these days don't know what't it's like driving something with holes in the doors, a dodgy choke, no radio and a blown cylinder head gasket.

We have just booked some offer holder days.

@ProggyMatI don't think anything's been wreaked so far, so fingers crossed...

Congratulations on the offer @Hattifatteners: that must be a lovely safe space for dd.

Nice towels @Proggymat: I may just indulge on ds' behalf ;-)

FFS: not sure what happened on that last post. First bit was meant to read:

Somewhat outing (may need to name change) but ds is getting a limited edition art print for his 18th by his fav artist - who specialises in bird prints (he's a big birdwatcher!) He's got a party and a smaller thing planned with mates too, but we need to get everything sorted. Most of his mates are having house parties and nothings been wreaked so far, so fingers crossed...

Oh: a question for those who recommended Turkey asa holiday option in the last thread: anywhere particular you'd suggest? We'd want quiet/relaxed/sights to see rather than party/busy if poss. I've never been to Turkey so don't know it at all, although one of ds' best mates is Turkish...

Piggy I used to live in Salford Quays in the late 80’s, first phase of development when there was no tram, Lowry or BBC. It was like a war zone though, I was robbed constantly (home, car, fuel stations), etc, and life for me turned around when I was relocated to London. I’d never felt so safe. Things did improve post Commonwealth games investment.

Of course this is nothing about the Lowry, but I totally agree it is overhyped. DD is visiting next weekend to do a recce but not interested in the arts, and I haven’t revisited for a while to recommend.

But M’cr’s China Town was always pretty good and reasonable, as alongside Liverpool has a strong population. For curries, definitely better out towards Fallowfield/Chorlton cum Hardy regions, but again this may have changed now.

And Rusholme was also good for local curry restaurants!

Thanks ealing!

Chinatown a good idea.

On the subject of Turkey, I think you mentioned not too hot isthis? I have never been anywhere so hot in my life (except maybe Death Valley). I like heat and was terribly ill in Turkey (spent 4 days in hospital on a drip ...) Thought I should mention!

Ahh, good to know @Piggywaspushed: that was the big mental cross against turkey: my two don't love being too hot. Maybe back to plan A which is Mauritius: as it's officially winter there so a chilly 24*....

Dd birthday not until July, we are recreating her first birthday tea in MIL garden except this time it is catered by someone else and includes prosecco. Family and close friends only then she can go out to meal/club in evening if needed.

Great news @Hattifatteners, more than a little bit jealous as a medic mum that you are out of your misery!

DS getting university laptop for 18th. I was also going to suggest a jacket as an enduring gift - my 2 both bought leather biker jackets with GCSE reward money which they LOVE.

Speaking of university laptops, what should I be looking for in a new laptop?
I know lots of students get the apple one but I don’t think we can stretch to that

Ds1 decided he must have a gaming laptop. He didn't tell me how much it cost at the time. We always use our local pc shop. But he got more discount using his student card. He bought one direct from HP. At a week after it's one year warranty ran out it stopped working. HP wanted £400 to look at it. So we had got fixed at our local shop for £70 it has broken 3 times now. Something comes loose inside. So we wouldn't get HP again. Ds admitted he spent £800 on it, my Acer swift is a similar age, half the price and never had any problems.

Good morning! Congratulations @Hattifatteners! I just saw your news.

Can anyone shed light on my DDs application saying that the school didn’t provide references? Do they all say that?

@Fiddlersgreen

Speaking of university laptops, what should I be looking for in a new laptop? I know lots of students get the apple one but I don’t think we can stretch to that

Quite often they get free Microsoft Office through the uni so it not necessary. Although Dd convinced DH she needs one for Music as they have some kind of composition/production software and special MAC suites on the courses she wants to go to.

@BlueMarigold

Good morning! Congratulations *@Hattifatteners*! I just saw your news.

Can anyone shed light on my DDs application saying that the school didn’t provide references? Do they all say that?

When did the application go in blue?

@Isthisjustnormal

Ahh, good to know *@Piggywaspushed: that was the big mental cross against turkey: my two don't love being too hot. Maybe back to plan A which is Mauritius: as it's officially winter there so a chilly 24....

Pre covid we had booked one of the Canary Islands as the weather would be comfortable during Summer. The islands can be a bit stark but lots to do.

Dd chose holiday this year Greek Island AI four days after her birthday. I think she'll happily keep coming on holiday with us ..as long as we pay.

Oh yes, Canaries. We went to Gran Canaria which I think is the nicest one a few summers ago. Temperature lovely and we did not see a single cloud the whole time we were there

Sorry missed the news @Hattifatteners well done to your Dd!

Just had DDs 18th birthday and from family she got a ring and a watch. But I guess girls are easier to buy long lasting presents for.
A good suggestion on here a while back was a personalidad number plate if a car is an option in the future. DH would love a belstaff jacket and would be extremely jealous if when ds turns 18 we got him one of them!